This powerful testimonial from Huish alumna, Paige Skudder, shows exactly what it means to achieve more than you thought possible. Her story is one of ambition and remarkable personal growth. From being the first in her family to enter higher education to qualifying as a solicitor in her early twenties, her journey highlights the extraordinary possibilities that unfold when confidence is ignited at Huish.
I had three incredible tutors who supported and encouraged me every step of the way at Richard Huish College during my A Levels. Most notably, Mike Twyble, who is unfortunately no longer with us but who I will remember for the rest of my legal career.
I still recall him saying to me in my first law lecture, ‘a legal career is like a bike race, you all start at the same point and slowly people fall behind or drop off and only a few ever finish the race’. He said he knew that I’d finish the race.
I achieved BBC at Huish, not the very top grades, but I had the ambition and drive to succeed, and I took those attributes into my degree. I kept in touch with Mike via email long after finishing college to keep him updated on my progress.
I was the first member of my family to have a university education. Covid-19 meant two years of my LLB degree were online. I left Cardiff University with a First-Class degree. This was quite a monumental achievement for me.
I started the LPC, without having secured a training contract. I was surrounded by people who had secured one and I remember questioning whether I had made the right decision. I achieved a distinction, another huge moment for me. I then secured a training contact whilst studying on the LPC.
I was a paralegal for a year before commencing my training contract which gave me invaluable experience.
I look back and feel nothing but pride for my resilience, motivation and commitment to the legal profession. To have qualified as a solicitor in my early twenties is still quite surreal. I am so excited to see where my legal journey takes me!
The reason I shared my journey is because I think it’s important to remember that whilst it might look on the face of it that things just fall into place, often there is a backstory that can be quite surprising! Self-belief has brought me a long way.
I find it very rewarding supporting the next generation of legal talent and have had the opportunity to return to Huish to speak to the Law Society about my career journey. I will always be open to conversations with Huish Law School students as I was in their exact position back in 2018!